Top 10 Occupations Requiring a Master’s Degree

Are you wondering which master’s degree concentration you should pursue? For many, job availability is an important factor when choosing a degree path. Each of the following 10 career paths require a master’s degree and are expected to create more than 20,000 additional jobs before 2020, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook! Read on to find out more about which occupations are expecting the largest growth!

Master’s Degree Required: Master’s Degree in School Counseling or a related field

2020 Job Projection: 53,400 additional jobs

What doEducational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Do?

“School counselors help students develop social skills and succeed in school. Career counselors assist people with the process of making career decisions by helping them choose a career or educational program.”

“Healthcare social workers help patients understand their diagnosis and make the necessary adjustments to their lifestyle, housing, or healthcare. They provide information on services, such as home health care or support groups, to help patients manage their illness or disease. Social workers help doctors and other healthcare professionals understand the effects diseases and illnesses have on patients’ mental and emotional health.”

“Mental health counselors help people manage or overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with their family and relationships. They listen to clients and ask questions to help the clients understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives.”

Master’s Degree Required: Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field

2020 Job Projection: 36,600 additional jobs

What doRehabilitation CounselorsDo?

“Rehabilitation counselors help people with emotional and physical disabilities live independently. They work with clients to overcome personal, social, and professional effects of disabilities as they relate to employment or independent living.”

“Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.”

“Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, or emotional problems.”

“Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and research at colleges and universities. Their job duties vary depending on the area of the college they manage, such as admissions, the office of the registrar, or student affairs.”

Master’s Degree Required: Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction or in a related field. Some instructional coordinators have a master’s in the content field they plan to specialize in, such as math or history.

2020 Job Projection: 27,300 additional jobs

What doInstructional Coordinators Do?

“Instructional coordinators oversee school districts’ curriculums and teaching standards. They work with teachers and school administrators to implement new teaching techniques to improve the quality of education.”

“Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine under the direction and supervision of physicians and surgeons. They are formally trained to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, and provide treatment.”

“Elementary, middle, and high school principals lead teachers and other members of school staff. They manage the day-to-day operations of elementary, middle, and high schools. They set goals and objectives and evaluate the school’s progress toward meeting them.”